Chapter Ninety: Shamelessness

The setting sun cast its golden rays over Crescent Lake, bathing the tranquil surface in a wash of rosy light that spilled onto the shore. The crystal tabletop glittered with dazzling brilliance. Linley and Anqi sat face-to-face, their gazes clashing with fierce intensity.

The lakeside was as silent as the grave, the air thick with a tense and daunting atmosphere. Behind Anqi stood a thousand nobles and royal guards; behind Linley, five hundred night elves of various ranks. Both camps held their breath, watching the other side with wary eyes, alert to the slightest movement.

The prince and the general stood behind Linley, each with a hand on the hilt of his sword, while Hera gripped her staff tightly, ready to cast a spell at a moment’s notice.

Though Anqi’s side held the advantage in numbers and strength, the aura behind Linley was even more formidable. The night elves who stood with him wore taut expressions, their eyes burning with a resolve to die if need be—after all, their boss was about to become the Night Elf King. They would never allow anyone to harm him.

"Our boss is our savior!"
"As long as he ascends the throne, there will be no more wars with the forest elves!"
"If the boss holds the Twin Moon Wheel, it won't be abused."
"Protect the boss, and the Twin Moon Wheel can never consume our souls again!"
"We absolutely cannot fail here!"

The night elves stood at the ready, watching for any suspicious movement from the other side, prepared to attack at the slightest provocation.

Anqi’s side was no less tense. Several great nobles whispered anxiously,
"Why hasn’t Her Majesty made a move yet?"
"We have to act. If word gets out, it’ll be even harder to do so later."

Unease rippled through the nobles. An invisible whirlwind swept through the palace, carrying the news outward—soon, countless night elves would know that a new king was about to rise among them.

If word spread that Linley now possessed the Twin Moon Wheel, it would throw the kingdom into chaos. He was a forest elf, yet his pact with the artifact was alluring enough. The mere promise that the Twin Moon Wheel would no longer consume souls would suffice to earn the support of many night elves. Indeed, since Linley obtained it, some nobles within the palace had already defected to his side.

If this situation continued, it would bode ill for the queen. The allegiance of the night elves would determine their future, and those on both sides felt their hearts pounding in their chests, gripping their weapons tightly, watching their leaders and enemies for any sign.

Time ticked by.

Suddenly, both monarchs moved at once, reaching out their hands. Instantly, every night elf drew their weapon with a thunderous clatter.

"Congratulations!" Anqi beamed, clasping Linley’s hand. "You actually obtained the Twin Moon Wheel!"

Linley responded with equal warmth, "Thank you! I’ll need you to teach me how to be a good king!"

At their words, a number of people behind them collapsed in shock.

"Your Majesty!"
Barlow scrambled up from the ground.

"Your Majesty!"
The prince, not to be outdone, clambered up as well.
"What are you two doing?" they demanded of their respective rulers.

"What do you mean, what are we doing?"
Anqi and Linley both stood, linking arms. "We’re bonding," they replied in unison.

Their closest followers were outraged. "Why are you bonding with the enemy?"

"Enemy? What are you talking about?" Anqi’s smile didn’t falter. "We get along splendidly!"

"Exactly!" Linley nodded, acting as if he and Anqi were the closest of siblings.

This turn of events left the night elves dumbfounded. They stared at each other in disbelief, unsure whether to keep fighting or lay down their arms.

"You all step back now, we need a private conversation," Anqi ordered her nobles. Linley waved his hand at his own supporters, "I want to deepen my bond with my sister, so you all step down too."

Both camps hesitated, but before the pair could lose their temper, they retreated, though warily, keeping their distance and remaining alert for any sign of trouble.

"A bunch of people with no sense for atmosphere. It seems we can’t talk here," Anqi said with a laugh.

Linley glanced at a nearby house. "Let’s go inside."

Before the eyes of everyone present, they entered the house and closed the door behind them. As soon as they confirmed they were alone, they instantly sprang apart.

"You little brat, how dare you try to steal my throne!" Anqi’s face was icy.

Linley’s eyes were cold as well. "Sister, the Twin Moon Wheel is mine now. Don’t even think about taking it back!"

"You’re asking for a beating!"

"Just try it if you can!"

"You think I wouldn’t dare?"

"Hey—if you’re going to hit me, I won’t hold back either!"

Inside the room, the two quickly fell into a scuffle, though neither dared use their full strength for fear of alerting the fools outside. But without magic, how could the queen hope to best the little tyrant?

Ten minutes later, Linley had Anqi pinned beneath him, and she conceded, "Very well. We’ll both be king."

"That suits me perfectly," Linley released her. He had no wish for the Night Elf Kingdom to remain in turmoil. "And how shall we divide the spoils?"

"Spoils? Don’t be so crude." Anqi sighed. "Here’s what I propose: you handle all external affairs, and I’ll manage everything within the kingdom."

She straightened up. "You’ll be the Night Elf King, and I can deign to be your deputy."

It sounded like a generous offer, almost as if she were raising his status—but Linley wasn’t so easily fooled.

"What a joke! All external affairs are nothing but trouble. You’re dumping all the headaches on me and keeping the profits for yourself." Linley had no interest in an empty title. "Why not let you handle diplomacy, and I’ll manage the kingdom itself? You can be the Night Elf Queen, and I’ll be the vice king."

The night elves’ reputation in the world was far from stellar; diplomacy was a thankless task. The real benefits lay in ruling the kingdom itself, which would keep Linley well-fed and content for life.

Anqi sneered. "You think you’re up to managing the kingdom?"

She knew Linley was a pioneer, not a manager.

But Linley disagreed. "I’m a prophet with knowledge of the multiverse. Running a country is child’s play."

"Very well," Anqi stood. "I have a proposal for Maple Leaf Port. I’ll hand it to you—if you can write a proper response to it, I’ll let you manage the kingdom."

Linley rolled up his sleeves. "Bring it on. I’ll show you what I’m made of!"

Anqi retrieved the proposal from her storage ring and handed Linley a pen.

Linley sat down at a table, his face full of disdain as he opened the document. How dare this woman underestimate his knowledge?

A proposal—how hard could it be? He’d have it done in no time.

While Linley read through the proposal, Anqi poured herself a glass of water. She had barely finished drinking when Linley shouted.

"I’m done!"

He called the queen over and handed her the proposal with a flourish. "This is an excellent plan. I’ve summarized six key points for you—take a look."

Anqi was startled. So quickly, and he’d already summarized six points—had she misjudged him? Was the little tyrant really that capable?

She opened the document. Sure enough, it listed six points, clear as day.

Exactly six. No more, no less.

Anqi was left speechless, stunned by Linley’s shamelessness.